Jonathan Baxter’s Pond Prowler has retired from the Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race for safety reasons.

Rather than risk navigating his C&C 37 through potentially hazardous weather en route to the island, skipper Baxter decided it was best to switch to power to get the jump on an ominous low pressure system.

"They hit a lull on the first day (and) so (they) switched the engine on basically to get past the low pressure that was coming. Safety first," commented Janis Dunstan, whose husband Charles is navigator aboard Pond Prowler.

Pond Prowler’s retirement has reduced local entries in the 645-mile race to just one, Jonathan Brewin’s Big Bear, that remains in the hunt for line honours.

Paul Hubbard’s Bermuda Oyster did not make the start line in Buzzard’s Bay last Friday due to mechanical problems.

To date, seven boats have retired from the race while four did not start among the original 48-boat racing fleet.

Read full story in tomorrow's Royal Gazette.